The U.S. military is about to have a greater presence in the Philippines; President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy meet to discuss the debt ceiling; and we have some fun facts about Punxsutawney Phil for this Groundhog Day. These stories and more highlight the daily morning rundown for Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.
U.S. to increase military presence in Philippines
The U.S. and the Philippines agreed to increase America’s military presence in the country. The U.S. will now have access to four more military bases there. This is an effort to deter China as the country’s leaders consider invading Taiwan, and continue to expand in the South China Sea.
The joint announcement also says the militaries will work to improve combined training, exercises, and interoperability. The U.S. will make an $82 million investment in the country’s military infrastructure.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been in Asia all week. On Tuesday, he announced the U.S. will send more advanced weapons to the Korean Peninsula including fighter jets and bombers.
Vote on removing Rep. Omar from committee
The House of Representatives will vote Thursday on a resolution to remove Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, Minn., from the Foreign Affairs Committee. Republican leadership expects it will pass.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said she should be taken off the committee because of statements she’s made about Israel and 9-11, including equating the United states and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban.
Omar’s fellow Democrats condemned her statements. But when it comes to the Foreign Affairs Committee, they have her back, and she says she’s sorry.
“Whatever our disagreements might be as members of Congress, policy differences alone have not, and must not be cause for eliminating someone from serving on a committee,” said Rep. Omar.
A few Republicans are expected to vote against the resolution. They say Omar deserves more due process and that this could become a tit-for-tat after Democrats removed Republicans from their committees last congress.
McCarthy also removed California Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Eric Swallwell from the Intelligence Committee.
Biden, McCarthy meet to discuss debt ceiling
President Biden and Speaker McCarthy met for more than an hour Wednesday to discuss the debt ceiling. There were no agreements or promises, but McCarthy said it was a productive conversation and he thinks they can find common ground.
The U.S. hit its $31.4 trillion debt ceiling Jan. 19. That means the government can’t borrow anymore money to pay its bills unless congress gives approval. But without an increase, the U.S. would default on its debt. So far this fiscal year, the federal government has spent $421 billion more dollars than it has collected.
“The current path we’re on we cannot sustain. We’ve got to change the directory to put ourselves on a path to balance. How we get there will be our discussions,” McCarthy said.
The White House said in a statement that President Biden made clear that, as every other leader in both parties in Congress has affirmed, it is their shared duty not to allow an unprecedented and economically catastrophic default.
California snowpack at 40-year high
The California Department of Water resources says the state’s Sierra Snowpack is 205% above normal for this time of year. It’s even 128% above its April average, which is when the snow level is highest. The state’s snow survey manager says it’s exactly what California needs to help break from its ongoing drought. The snow pack provides about one-third of the state’s water supply. There are some concerns about flooding when it starts to melt. the state will have to take steps to mitigate those risks.
Official state aroma? N.M. considers roasted chile
There are official state colors, state animals, state mottos and even state bugs. But new Mexico may become the first state in the nation to have an official aroma.
Lawmakers in the land of enchantment want to give that title to roasted chile. They say it’s a distinctive scent that can be found in nearly every recipe from breakfast burritos to red chile lattes. It’s also the state’s signature crop. In 2021, 60 percent of chile peppers produced in the u-s came from new Mexico.
It’s Groundhog Day
Today is Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil has predicted there will be six more weeks of winter. The Groundhog Club that hosts the event says Phil is correct 100%. Meteorologists say he’s right about 50% of the time.
Some fun facts about Phil, he is married to Phyliss and they have no children. Incredibly, Punxsutawney Phil has been making these predictions since 1886.
